Have you ever wondered who are the faces behind the revolution of the Badminton game in India? Well, this article will tell you all about the famous badminton players in India who have had an ongoing effect on the sport.
It was originally played to pass the time on the lawn or in the backyards of houses, but it was eventually formally recognised as a sport. These athletes have received domestic and international attention for their exceptional talent, dedication, and sportsmanship.
Come celebrate with us the incredible abilities and achievements of these outstanding players who raised Indian badminton to heights never seen on international arenas.
List Of The 7 Famous Badminton Players In India
Here, we will discuss about the top badminton players in India who has carried the sport to unprecedented heights. To get the complete detail regarding these badminton players, we suggest you go through this article until the end.
1. Prakash Padukone
Prakash Padukone is a former Indian badminton player. He was ranked World No. 1 in 1980. In that same year he became the first Indian who won the All England Open Badminton Championships. He topped the Indian National Championships for seven consecutive years beginning in 1972, making him India’s finest male badminton player.
Padukone won the Danish Open and the Swedish Open in 1980, making it a historic year for him. He was also the first Indian to win the men’s singles title in the All England Championship, defeating Indonesian Liem Swie King. The Government of India honoured him with the Arjuna Award in 1972 and the Padma Shri in 1982. He is a co-founder of the Olympic Gold Quest Foundation, which promotes Olympic sports in India.
2. Pullela Gopichand
Pullela Gopichand is a retired badminton player from India. He is now the Chief National Coach for the Indian badminton team. He was only the second Indian to win the All England Open Badminton Championships, after Prakash Padukone. He runs the Gopichand Badminton Academy. In 1999, he received the Arjuna Award, followed by the Khel Ratna Award (India’s highest sports prize) in 2001, the Dronacharya Award in 2009, and the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honour, in 2014. He is the only Indian coach to be named a “Honourable Mention” by the International Olympic Committee at the 2019 Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards.
3. Saina Nehwal
One of India’s best badminton players, Saina Nehwal, has reached several milestones. At the London 2012 Olympics, she earned a bronze medal in Badminton, which became the first Indian woman to complete it. In 2015, she became the first Indian woman to have a global number one ranking. Saina has 24 international titles, including gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and two bronze medals in the Asian games. She is the best female badminton player in India who won the Indonesia Open three times, the India Open and the Australian Open. She is a former World Cup silver and bronze medal winner, who continues to inspire Indian badminton players.
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4. PV Sindhu
Pusrala Venkat Sindhu, a famous badminton player, was born July 5, 1995 in Hyderabad, India. She became the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals, won silver in Rio in 2016 and bronze in Tokyo in 2020. Sindhu became the first Indian to won the BWF World Cup title in 2019. She has also won five medals in the World Cup, to prove her continuous performance. In 2022, she earned her first Commonwealth Games gold in women’s singles. Sindhus performance has improved India’s ranking in international badminton.
5. Kidambi Srikanth
Kidambi Srikanth is one of the best badminton players in India, who is recognized for his aggressive style and fast footwork. In April 2018, he became the first Indian male shuttle to reach the world ranking in men’s singles. Srikanth made history by winning four Super Series titles in Indonesia, Australia, Denmark and France in 2017, the first Indian to do the same year.
In 2021, he earned a silver medal at the BWF World Cup and became the first Indian man to do so. Srikanth also played an important role in India’s historical Thomas Cup victory in 2022, when the team won the gold medal for the first time. Other major achievements are winning 2018 Commonwealth Games Team Gold and Men’s Singles Silver.
6. Chirag Shetty-Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
Chirag Shetty is a well-known Indian badminton player who specialises in men’s doubles. He has reached various historic milestones alongside Satwiksairaj Rankireddy. The duo won gold in the 2022 Commonwealth Games and became the first Indian pair to win a BWF Super 750 tournament by winning the French Open the same year. In 2023, they extended their historic run by collecting India’s first men’s doubles gold medal at the Asian Games and briefly holding the world number one rating. Their achievements have greatly enhanced India’s standing in international badminton.
7. Lakshay Sen
Lakshya Sen, another professional and well-known badminton player from India, is an important figure in the sport. He became the first Indian badminton player to reach the semi-finals of the Olympic Games in 2024, after winning the men’s singles quarter-finals. He won gold medals in the boy’s singles at the 2018 Asian Junior Championships and bronze at the World Championships in 2021. He was also part of the Indian team that won the 2022 Thomas Cup.
Badminton Player Salary In India
Badminton Player’s revenue in India is very different based on winning, sponsorship and tournament gain. The average salary for badminton players in India is Rs. 21 lakhs. Badminton players in India earn around Rs. 1.31,482 per month, with an average salary Rs. 35,000. Top players such as PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth earned crores from endorsements, league contracts and prize money each year.
Badminton Association of India (BAI) provides support, although most revenue is generated by branding. The foremost Badminton League (PBL) provides attractive contracts, where the top players have earned 50 lakh to £ 1 crore per season. Trust on government grants and competitions at club level, the lower ranked players are paid much less.
Conclusion
India has produced some world-class badminton players who have given great pride to the country through their excellent achievements on the international scene. Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand, two Famous Badminton Players In India, paved the path for modern talents Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu, and Kidambi Srikanth. Their dedication, skill, and victories inspired other young athletes to stay in the sport. With current supporting and developing talent, India’s badminton future appears promising. These players have not only won major trophies, but they have also contributed to enhance India’s reputation in worldwide badminton, establishing it as a powerhouse in the sport.
FAQ
Q. Who is the best badminton player in India?
A. Saina Nehwal is considered one of the best badminton players in India.
Q. How to become badminton player in India?
A. To become a badminton player in India, start early, join an academy, train rigorously, participate in state/national tournaments, seek coaching, maintain fitness, and aim for BAI rankings to progress professionally.
Q. Who is the best badminton girl in India?
A. India’s best female badminton player is P.V. Sindhu. She is a two-time Olympic medalist, World Champion, and multiple-time BWF title winner, making her India’s most successful female shuttler.
Q. Who first played badminton in India?
A. British army officers introduced badminton to India in the 19th century, playing in Poona (Pune), leading to its early popularity.
